The Delhi government has announced the restart of its popular free coaching scheme aimed at underprivileged individuals. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, alongside Chief Minister Atishi, made the announcement on Friday, reviving the ‘Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana.’ This initiative seeks to provide coaching for various competitive exams, including civil services, engineering, and medical, specifically targeting students from disadvantaged communities.
Kejriwal remarked, “The scheme was intentionally halted after I went to jail. I’m pleased that the Delhi government has now resumed the program for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS community students.” He emphasized that pending payments to coaching institutes would be processed following necessary verifications, allowing students from low-income backgrounds to access free coaching again.
In his address, Kejriwal reflected on the importance of equitable educational opportunities: “In 2017, we initiated the Mukhyamantri Jai Bheem Yojana to support students from Dalit, ST, OBC, and EWS communities with free coaching for competitive exams. I personally experienced the high costs of coaching for IIT-JEE and civil services; many intelligent children from underprivileged backgrounds miss out on opportunities due to financial constraints.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to leveling the playing field for all students, stating, “The aim is to provide the same opportunities to these students as those from wealthier families. The Delhi government not only covers coaching fees but also offers ₹2,500 per month for miscellaneous expenses to these students.”
While the exact number of students benefiting from the scheme was not disclosed, officials noted that challenges arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to prolonged closures of coaching centers and payment delays.
Kejriwal stated, “Obstacles were created due to COVID. I’m happy that we have restarted the scheme for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS community students.”
The response from the BJP regarding this announcement is still pending, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
